1927
B.
2018
B. McGillian
June 7, 1927 — April 1, 2018
B. Kevin McGillian, age 90, of Malvern, PA, formerly of Upper Darby, PA, passed away on April 1, 2018.
Born in Plumbridge, County Tyrone, Ireland, he was the son of the late Francis and Maryann McGillian (nee McGrinder).
Kevin was employed as a Warehouse Operator with Acme Markets.
He loved fishing, the Phillies, traditional Irish music, and spending time with the family he built.
He was inducted into the Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann Irish Musician Hall of Fame.
Kevin came to America in 1954 where he met the love of his life, Mary Boyce, at a wedding at the McSwiney Club in Jenkintown.
The two married in September, 1959, in St. Alice Church in Upper Darby, and together they had six children.
Kevin worked as a welder at Arch T. Flowers in Cheltenham and later in maintenance at the Curtis Publishing Company.
But mostly, he was a self-employed landscaper on the Philadelphia Main Line.
When the family settled in Upper Darby, he worked and eventually retired from Acme Markets Warehouse in Philadelphia.
Kevin's passion was playing traditional Irish music on the button-key accordion at various parties, gatherings and Ceili dances and sessions.
A soft-spoken and humble man, Kevin was a true giant in Philadelphia's Irish music community and an inspiration to many musicians.
His love of music will be carried on through his family and those who learned from him and played beside him.
Kevin is survived by his beloved wife, Mary T. McGillian (nee Boyce), his loving children Brian McGillian, Mary Conway, Jimmy McGillian (Lori), Ann McKeown (Mark), Eileen Reavey (Bill) and John McGillian (Jessica), 16 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and a large extended family.
He was predeceased by his 13 siblings.
Relatives and friends are invited to his viewing Thursday, April 5, 2018 6:00-9:00 PM and Friday, April 6, 2018 8:30-10:00 AM The Donohue Funeral Home, 8401 West Chester Pike (Cor. Lynn Blvd.), Upper Darby, PA (610) 449-0300 and to his Funeral Mass 10:30 AM St. Laurence Church, 8245 West Chester Pike, Upper Darby, PA.
Interment SS Peter and Paul Cemetery, Springfield, PA.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory to Main Line Health Hospice, 240 N. Radnor-Chester Road, Suite 100, Radnor, PA 19087 would be appreciated.
Donohue Funeral Home
1627
Pike West Chester 19382, United States
Born in Plumbridge, County Tyrone, Ireland, he was the son of the late Francis and Maryann McGillian (nee McGrinder).
Kevin was employed as a Warehouse Operator with Acme Markets.
He loved fishing, the Phillies, traditional Irish music, and spending time with the family he built.
He was inducted into the Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann Irish Musician Hall of Fame.
Kevin came to America in 1954 where he met the love of his life, Mary Boyce, at a wedding at the McSwiney Club in Jenkintown.
The two married in September, 1959, in St. Alice Church in Upper Darby, and together they had six children.
Kevin worked as a welder at Arch T. Flowers in Cheltenham and later in maintenance at the Curtis Publishing Company.
But mostly, he was a self-employed landscaper on the Philadelphia Main Line.
When the family settled in Upper Darby, he worked and eventually retired from Acme Markets Warehouse in Philadelphia.
Kevin's passion was playing traditional Irish music on the button-key accordion at various parties, gatherings and Ceili dances and sessions.
A soft-spoken and humble man, Kevin was a true giant in Philadelphia's Irish music community and an inspiration to many musicians.
His love of music will be carried on through his family and those who learned from him and played beside him.
Kevin is survived by his beloved wife, Mary T. McGillian (nee Boyce), his loving children Brian McGillian, Mary Conway, Jimmy McGillian (Lori), Ann McKeown (Mark), Eileen Reavey (Bill) and John McGillian (Jessica), 16 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and a large extended family.
He was predeceased by his 13 siblings.
Relatives and friends are invited to his viewing Thursday, April 5, 2018 6:00-9:00 PM and Friday, April 6, 2018 8:30-10:00 AM The Donohue Funeral Home, 8401 West Chester Pike (Cor. Lynn Blvd.), Upper Darby, PA (610) 449-0300 and to his Funeral Mass 10:30 AM St. Laurence Church, 8245 West Chester Pike, Upper Darby, PA.
Interment SS Peter and Paul Cemetery, Springfield, PA.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory to Main Line Health Hospice, 240 N. Radnor-Chester Road, Suite 100, Radnor, PA 19087 would be appreciated.
Visitation
Friday, April 6, 2018 8:30 AM - 10:00 AMDonohue Funeral Home
1627
Pike West Chester 19382, United States
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of B. McGillian, please visit our flower store.
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